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Work to begin soon on reconstruction of I-10 overpass at Avenida de Mesilla

By Steve Ramirez / sramirez@lcsun-news.com

Posted:
04/30/2013 05:53:59 PM MDT

A map showing the scope of work that will be done on Avenida de Mesilla at the Interstate 10 overpass.

LAS CRUCES — It took a day less than a year to reconstruct the interchange at Interstate 10 and I-25. It will take almost as long to replace the overpass at Avenida de Mesilla and I-10.

Work is anticipated to begin later this month to replace water, sewer and gas lines along Avenida de Mesilla from Hickory Drive west to Stern Drive. It is expected to cost the city $319,000 to have that work done.

"Exactly when that work will begin we don't know," said David Maestas, contracts administrator for the city of Las Cruces. "That's a project that's being supervised by the New Mexico Department of Transportation."

Shortly after that, work will start to replace the I-10 overpass at Avenida de Mesilla. The overpass is aging and showing signs of structural flaws, so it will be replaced by a "diamond" interchange that will include longer acceleration lanes along I-10 that will allow traffic entering the highway to reach the posted speed limit before entering driving lanes.

Altogether, the improvements are supposed to take about 11 months to complete. The project will cost an estimated $12 million.

"The improvements will be nice, once they're done," said Diego Luera, a Mesilla resident who drives through the overpass just about every weekday to and from his job in Las Cruces.

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"But I can imagine there's going to be some days when it's going to be a hassle getting through there because of all the work that's going to be happening."

For many Las Crucens and southern New Mexico residents, Avenida de Mesilla is considered the primary entrance to Mesilla, one of the key tourist destinations in the region. Already, motorists and travelers are being advised of alternate routes to Mesilla, through University Avenue and Motel Boulevard.

Bridget Spedalieri, spokeswoman for the New Mexico Department of Transportation, said traffic control devices will be placed throughout the construction project, alerting motorists of lane restrictions and detours, when the project begins.

There will be at least three overnight closures of Avenida de Mesilla while the reconstruction is under way. The closures will be needed when the contractor removes the existing I-10 bridges, when new bridge beams and deck placement have to be conducted, and during the installation of utility lines.

"The existing steel girder bridges at Avenida de Mesilla exit will be replaced with a concrete bridge consisting of full height abutments, precast concrete deck panels and artwork featuring a local Southwest theme," Spedalieri said. "The ramps will be reconfigured to a diamond interchange with the removal of the existing loop ramp. The new design will have longer acceleration lanes along I-10 in order to allow for traffic entering I-10 to reach the posted speed limit before entering the driving lane."

Other improvements will include the installation of a traffic signal on Avenida de Mesilla at the eastbound I-10 entrance and exit ramps. Also, Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to Avenida de Mesilla will include new sidewalks on the north side of that street, from Hickory Loop to Lakeside Drive.

The project will be done in five phases. The first phase includes installing signs alerting motorists they are in a construction zone, building detours, relocating utilities and building the first of five ramps to I-10. There will be a closure to remove the eastbound on-ramp.

The second phase of construction will include construction of the eastbound I-10 bridge. When that construction begins, I-10 traffic will be detoured onto the existing westbound bridge at Avenida de Mesilla, with vehicle speed limits on I-10 reduced to 25 mph. Traffic will be limited to one lane eastbound and westbound.

Phase III construction will include building two more ramps and the westbound I-10 bridge. Phase IV work will focus on the reconstruction of Avenida de Mesilla. The final phase of construction will include the installation of permanent signs, road striping, and landscaping of the new interchange.

Steve Ramirez can be reached at 575-541-5452. Follow him on Twitter @SteveRamirez6

More road construction

— The overpass on Interstate 10 at the Avenida de Mesilla exit will be replaced in the coming year.

— In a few weeks, work will start to replace utility lines — gas, water and sewer — from Hickory Loop west to Stern Drive.

— Replacement of the overpass will take 330 days to complete.

— Alternate access to and from Mesilla will be available through University Avenue and Motel Boulevard.

— The cost to the city of Las Cruces to replace utility lines is $319,000.

— The cost to replace and redesign the overpass is approximately $12 million.

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